BELTON, Texas – After having last week's game called off midway through the second quarter due to weather - and a week No. 1 bye - the McMurry University football team will head into Saturday's bout at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor having only played two contests in September. The War Hawks (1-1, 0-0 ASC) will kick off at 1 p.m. versus the Crusaders (3-0, 0-0 ASC), the NCAA Division III's No. 3-ranked team,in their American Southwest Conference opener at Crusader Stadium.
UMHB's potent offense averages 59.3 points per game, while giving up just 16.0 p.p.g. in its three wins this season. The Crusaders are averaging 577.7 yards per game in total offense and allowing a stingy 264.3 y.p.g. to its foes.
UMHB LAST TIME OUT: UMHB had a bye last week. On Sept. 17, UMHB - then ranked No. 5 in NCAA III - waxed the then No. 3-rated team, Linfield College, 66-27. The Crusaders rolled up 552 yards of offense to supplement one defensive and two special teams scores.
MCM LAST TIME OUT: McMurry and Langston were "weather beaten" last week, when their scheduled game had to be canceled at the 7:45 mark of the second quarter after a 2 1/2 hour lightning delay and eventual heavy storms in the Abilene area.
WHEN LAST THEY MET: In what was McMurry University's first venture into the NCAA III football playoffs in 2011, the War Hawks were ousted from the post-season by UMHB, 49-20, in the second round. The Crusaders, ranked No. 4 at the time, improved to 12-0 with the win and ended McM's campaign at 9-3.
UMHB had 412 yards of offense compared to 317 by the War Hawks. McM quarterback Jake Mullin was 34-of-60 for 269 yards and 3 TDs. On defense, Will Morris had 21 tackles (10 solo) in the loss.
THE SERIES: This is the 15th meeting between these teams. The Crusaders lead the all-time series by a 12-2 margin, having won 12-consecutive meetings (after losing the first two of the series).
RANK AND FILES: This will be the sixth time - out of the past seven meetings - that UMHB has been ranked in the top-5 of NCAA III when it played the War Hawks.
